Who knew! Jennifer Lopez was Drake’s childhood crush

Between time spent in the recording studio and steamy nights out (see: their New Year’s Eve date at Las Vegas’ Hakkasan), “they’ve gotten very close fast,” says a Lopez confidant, adding that the mom of 8-year-old twins Max and Emme (with ex-husband Marc Anthony) “gets really excited to see him.”

For Lopez, the 30-year-old’s appeal is twofold. Named the fifth-wealthiest hip-hop artist by Forbes in 2016 (he has a net worth of $60 million to her reported $300 million), “he’s not only a sexy guy,” says the Lopez insider, “but it’s great for her image to be dating the hottest rapper in the game.”

And then there are his smooth moves. When Drake learned the Bronx native had never attended prom at her all-girls Catholic high school, he formulated a grand gesture.

Choosing an L.A. church as the setting for a December 29 winter wonderland-themed formal, he created a scene straight out of Degrassi High. He had the space decked out with snowflake cutouts and metallic foil fringe, hired a band and arranged for he and Lopez (sporting a floral corsage, of course) to be crowned king and queen.

“He wanted her to have that experience,” explains a source. It was his fantasy too. Notes a Drake pal, “She was his childhood crush!”

Nights at Lopez’s 8-acre Bel-Air estate in Los Angeles have left her equally smitten. “They listen to music and talk a lot,” says a Lopez source. “They’re both single, attractive and have a lot in common, so it’s natural. They really like each other.”